George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo named as witnesses at Berlusconi sex trial

George Clooney, Cristiano Ronaldo named as witnesses at Silvio Berlusconi sex trial

MILAN — George Clooney will be called as a defence witness at former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s trial on charges he paid for sex with a minor at one of his famous “bunga bunga” parties, court officials said on Wednesday.

The Oscar-winner was among 214 witnesses admitted by a Milan court for the defence and prosecution. Witnesses for the defence also include footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and Clooney’s former girlfriend, Elisabetta Canalis.

Berlusconi is accused of paying Karima el Mahroug, also known as Ruby, for sex when she was 17. The 75-year-old is also charged with abuse of power for getting the Moroccan-born Ruby released from custody after she was arrested for theft in Milan.

They both deny the accusations.

Berlusconi’s defence has called Clooney as a witness because Ruby said she had seen the actor and Canalis at one of Berlusconi’s parties.